Lima celebrates John Lewis Day with "Good Trouble" awards

LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) - One way to celebrate Black History Month is to honor some of the leaders in action.

Presented by Derry Glenn and the Community Action Program, the John Lewis Day celebration featured an award ceremony, speakers, and a catered meal. John Lewis was an important figure of the Civil Rights Movement and later became a longtime U.S. Congressman.

Lewis coined the phrase "good trouble", meaning a non-violent act to challenge injustice and fight inequalities for positive social change. Sunday's celebration held awards called the "Good Trouble" awards, with 25 people receiving one. They were chosen for their service in our community.

Lima celebrates John Lewis Day with "Good Trouble" awards

"I mean when you think about and hear it being Black History Month, and you think about the things that John Lewis was able to accomplish in his life, I mean, what better day to celebrate him, than today," says Eric Wright, a recipient of the award.

"The Good Trouble award is going to people who are making it visible for us in the community here, making us keep this dream alive. Keep the good trouble alive because there's a lot of work we have to do for our young people," says Derry Glenn, 6th Ward, Lima City councilman.

Keynote speaker, Owens Community college president Dione Somerville talked to the group about democracy and education.

"The efforts that we've done so far, a lot of the progress that we've made, as a country, as a world, as a community. It's important to think of what we can do as individuals in furtherance of that, be it anything related to democracy, to voting, to how we all can participate in the betterment of our country is hugely important," states Dr. Dione D. Somerville, guest speaker and president at Owens State Community College.

John Lewis Day February 22^nd, 2026 AWARDEES: